Berkshire Orthopedics LLC

A Division of Keystone Orthopaedic Specialists, LLC

Contact Us: 610-375-4949

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What Is the Best Treatment for Arthritis in the Shoulder?

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One of the leading causes of shoulder pain and immobility in older adults, shoulder arthritis can be very disruptive to one’s daily routine. This prompts many to wonder, “What is the best treatment for arthritis in the shoulder?” Ranging from conservative modalities to different types of surgery, the right treatment for this condition will depend on a patient’s individual set of factors — age, lifestyle, type and extent of arthritis, recovery goals, etc. Read on to learn more about the possible options.

What Is the Best Treatment for Arthritis in the Shoulder?

As is generally true for any orthopedic condition, a physician will typically recommend trying nonoperative options before considering surgery for shoulder arthritis. First-line therapies may include:

  • Modifying one’s activities
  • Icing/heating the affected shoulder
  • Getting corticosteroid injections
  • Taking an anti-inflammatory medication
  • Performing physical therapy exercises to improve range of motion

If these treatments prove to be inadequate to address shoulder symptoms, their doctor may at this point suggest some kind of shoulder surgery, such as:

  • Total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA), also known as total shoulder replacement – In many cases, the damaged bone and cartilage caused by shoulder arthritis can be removed using this surgical option, thereby alleviating discomfort and improving range of motion. 
  • Reverse shoulder replacement – For patients with cuff tear arthropathy, a full or unresolved rotator cuff injury and/or a previous ineffective shoulder replacement, this procedure may be a better match.

Again, in terms of what is the best treatment for arthritis in the shoulder, the most appropriate answer will be determined by the type and severity of the individual’s arthritis, as well as other life factors. In turn, it’s important to see a qualified expert who will take a holistic view of your circumstances to arrive at the best-matched option.

Ease Shoulder Arthritis Pain with Targeted Treatment

If you’re eager to pursue personalized treatment for shoulder pain in the Reading, PA area, you’ve come to the right place. Dr. Stephen Soffer brings a proven track record in successfully performing cutting-edge shoulder surgical procedures with favorable patient outcomes, as well as prescribing effective conservative treatment plans for those who are not good candidates for surgery. He is proud to maintain board certification and to be fellowship trained by Dr. James Andrews, an esteemed sports medicine surgeon.

To learn more about Dr. Soffer and schedule a consultation, call our office at 610-375-4949.

Find Expert Tennis Elbow Surgeons Near Me: PA

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tennis elbow surgeons near me

Caused by overuse of the elbow — whether it stems from literally playing tennis or other sports, performing one’s occupation or doing a combination of activities — tennis elbow can be very painful and limiting. If this condition is interfering with your life, you may wonder about the best PA tennis elbow surgeons near me and how they might be able to help you. Read on for more information on these topics! 

Find Expert Tennis Elbow Surgeons Near Me: PA

Throughout the Berks County, PA area, Dr. Stephen Soffer is respected as a leading orthopedic surgeon with proven capability to treat conditions affecting the elbow, knee, shoulder, and other joints.

For those experiencing tennis elbow symptoms such as stiffness, weakness, swelling, limited range of motion and discomfort, Dr. Soffer may initially recommend nonsurgical treatments. These might include:

— Taking time off from activities involving the elbow

— Icing the joint

— Managing inflammation with medication

— Wearing an elbow brace

— Getting steroid injections

— Doing physical therapy exercises

In the event that a conservative treatment plan fails to successfully resolve tennis elbow, it’s beneficial to already be under the care of a practiced orthopedic surgeon like Dr. Soffer. 

Through careful examination and consideration of your unique case, Dr. Soffer can help you determine whether surgical treatment is a wise course of action for you. Tennis elbow surgery can often be done arthroscopically, offering the advantages of minimal scarring and trauma to the joint to promote a faster recovery.

Discuss Your Elbow Concerns with Dr. Soffer

Receiving certification from the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery, co-authoring a textbook on elbow arthroscopy with Dr. James Andrews and lecturing around the world to advance orthopedic medicine are just a few of Dr. Soffer’s accomplishments. For patients of all ages, he prioritizes minimally invasive procedures whenever possible and aims to deliver maximum results catered to personal circumstances. 

If you’re seeking tennis elbow surgeons near me who you can trust, look no further to receive compassionate, world-class care! To learn more about elbow treatment options available at Dr. Soffer’s office and make an appointment with him, call 610-375-4949. 

Can Cartilage Be Restored? Ask an Orthopedic Surgeon

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can cartilage be restored

At the joints where our bones meet lies smooth connective tissue known as articular cartilage. When this cartilage is healthy, it helps to facilitate fluid movement and prevent friction so that our joints can flex and bend easily. On the other hand, when this tissue becomes damaged due to acute injury or degeneration over time, it can lead to ongoing joint pain and dysfunction. This begs the question, can cartilage be restored? Our orthopedic expert is here to provide clarity on what’s currently possible.

Can Cartilage Be Restored? Ask an Orthopedic Surgeon

Swelling, stiffness and a grinding sensation in the affected joint(s) are common complaints associated with cartilage wear. Fortunately, owing to advancements in orthopedic treatment, there are now numerous minimally invasive arthroscopic procedures available to help address cartilage defects. For example:

  • A piece of healthy cartilage may be transplanted or grafted onto an area where cartilage is deficient (as an important note, replacement cartilage may have a shorter lifespan than the original tissue).
  • Small holes may be made in damaged cartilage and the underlying bone in order to promote new cartilage growth that will cover the defect or fill in the gap.

When seeking more information on how can cartilage be restored and considering procedures to enable this, keep in mind that results will vary from patient to patient. Additionally, there are certain cases where it will not be possible to repair, restore or regenerate damaged cartilage, in which case another treatment approach may be needed. For example, addressing cartilage degradation related to knee arthritis that has been developing over many years may require knee replacement surgery.

Explore Effective Treatment Methods for Cartilage Damage

At his practice in Wyomissing, PA, Dr. Stephen Soffer proudly provides a range of cutting-edge treatment options for orthopedic issues, all centered around alleviating pain and restoring joint and cartilage functionality. 

Equipped with fellowship training from sports medicine specialist Dr. James Andrews and other high-level experience, Dr. Soffer is qualified to offer both operative and nonoperative treatments. To learn more and find out whether you are a good candidate for a particular cartilage restoration procedure, reach out to our office at 610-375-4949. 

What Kind of Doctor to See for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

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what doctor for carpal tunnel

A common side effect of jobs requiring long hours of computer work and other tasks involving frequent hand actions of similar variety, carpal tunnel syndrome can be very painful. If symptoms in the hand, wrist and/or arm begin to interfere with one’s daily activities, an individual may wonder about what doctor for carpal tunnel is the best choice. Let’s look into the reasons why an orthopedic surgeon is the right answer here.

What Kind of Doctor to See for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

For a patient experiencing carpal tunnel impacts, there are several nonsurgical treatment options which can potentially be helpful in alleviating discomfort. These first-line therapies may include:

  • Taking time off from or adjusting activities
  • Steroid injections
  • Medication
  • Physical therapy exercises

However, these conservative treatments don’t provide a full solution for every case of carpal tunnel. For patients with persistent or more severe symptoms, a procedure called carpal tunnel release surgery may be considered. In turn, it’s best to start out under the care of an orthopedic surgeon in case your personal treatment pathway leads to this surgery.

Following this procedure, patients should closely follow their surgeon’s instructions in order to minimize discomfort while healing and optimize their long-term results. Partnering with a physical therapist will also most likely be advised to facilitate restoration of finger mobility and grip strength while addressing stiffness in the operated hand. When adhering to their personal treatment guidelines, most patients experience significant reduction in their carpal tunnel symptoms within a year following this surgery. 

Handle Hand Pain with Advanced Treatment from Dr. Soffer

Now that you know what doctor for carpal tunnel is the most well-equipped choice, you may be eager to schedule an appointment with a provider who fits the bill. As an orthopedic professional serving patients throughout the Berks County, PA area, Dr. Stephen Soffer has proven expertise in treating carpal tunnel with both operative and nonoperative methods. 

Fellowship-trained in sports medicine by specialist Dr. James Andrews, Dr. Soffer takes pride in offering compassionate, top-level care for orthopedic issues of all sorts. To discuss your unique situation with him, call our office at 610-375-4949 and request an appointment.

Best Sports Injury Doctor Near Me: Make an Appointment

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Participating in athletic activities helps us stay healthy and happy, especially when it’s a sport we’re passionate about. But unfortunately, sports can also heighten our risk of physical injury. Orthopedic sports injuries in particular can be very painful and even debilitating in some cases. The good news is that finding the “best sports injury doctor near me” can get you on the road to a swift recovery and returning to the pastimes you love. 

Best Sports Injury Doctor Near Me: Make an Appointment

For both casual and more serious athletes who live, work or play in the Reading, PA area, Dr. Stephen Soffer offers top-level care. He is highly qualified to treat the full array of orthopedic sports injuries, including:

  • ACL tears
  • Rotator cuff tears
  • Tennis elbow
  • Ankle sprains
  • Achilles tendon injuries
  • And more

This testimonial from patient James C. demonstrates Dr. Soffer’s skill and commitment to helping his patients bounce back from sports injuries as quickly and effectively as possible: 

“Dr. Soffer repaired my torn Achilles tendon in 2005. I am a black belt in karate and some people told me I would never return. Dr. Soffer did a great job, and I am back to karate with no problems.”

See Dr. Soffer to Address Your Sports Injury Promptly & Professionally 

Whether you play football, lacrosse, basketball, soccer, baseball or another sport, Dr. Soffer can help you recover from virtually any orthopedic injury sustained in the course of athletics. Known as the best sports injury doctor near me across Berks County, PA, he excels in creating customized treatment plans for patients of any age and activity level, whether they necessitate operative care or can be treated more conservatively.

Under world-renowned sports surgeon Dr. James Andrews, Dr. Soffer completed a fellowship in sports medicine, along with other prestigious training. He is board certified and offers both surgical and nonsurgical treatments, with a focus on minimally invasive methods. To schedule a time to see Dr. Soffer at his office in Wyomissing and formulate a tailored treatment plan to address your sports injury symptoms, call us at 610-375-4949!

Top Knee Surgeons Near Me: Dr. Stephen Soffer

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Walking, exercising and going about your daily tasks all hinge on healthy knee function that lets you move around comfortably and effectively. Over time, knee cartilage can wear out, causing pain and difficulty being active. For younger individuals, acute knee injuries may disrupt their routine with similar discomfort. In either case, familiarizing oneself with the “top knee surgeons near me” is a wise step. Allow us to introduce Dr. Stephen Soffer, the most esteemed choice in the Reading, PA area.

Top Knee Surgeons Near Me: Dr. Stephen Soffer

If you have sustained a knee injury or suspect joint degeneration related to aging, it’s important to seek expert care sooner rather than later. The longer a knee problem is left untreated, the higher the chance of it becoming more complicated to resolve or manage. 

So, why should you prioritize seeing Dr. Soffer, one of the “top knee surgeons near me”, even if you may not necessarily need surgery? 

  • Many knee issues can be treated conservatively with good results. However, there are certain cases where these first-line treatments may not be sufficient, in which case knee surgery may end up being necessary.
  • Prior to having a thorough examination by an orthopedic professional, it’s difficult to know just how severe your knee condition is. Even if the problem seems relatively minor, the nature of the issue may still call for consideration of surgical treatment, now or down the line.
  • A surgeon will have the most comprehensive range of knowledge, diagnostic techniques and experience, allowing them to prescribe the most advanced and appropriate treatment for your particular case — surgical or nonsurgical.

In Berks County, PA, Dr. Stephen Soffer is the leading choice for orthopedic care. If you have lingering pain and dysfunction in your knee or another joint, visiting him as soon as possible can help to speed your recovery and minimize further damage.

Set Up Your Appointment with Dr. Soffer 

Fellowship-trained by world-famous sports surgeon Dr. James Andrews, Dr. Soffer brings a wealth of expertise and compassion to every patient appointment. He is truly dedicated to helping individuals of all ages overcome their orthopedic issues and get back to doing what they love. To optimize healing and minimize invasiveness, he uses arthroscopic instead of open surgery whenever possible.

To learn more about Dr. Soffer’s credentials, visit our website or call our office at 610-375-4949 and set up an appointment. We look forward to hearing from you!

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